The onset of spring brings with it new beginnings and a chance to experience beautiful transitions. The change from drab to colorful throughout Arizona’s low- to mid-elevation deserts is going to hit us like a yellow, orange, and purple freight train this year. A wide variety of wildflowersare beginning to explode throughout the state, bringing splashes of vibrancy to the landscape. This phenomenon is already starting in many of your state parks, and it will only get better when spring hits full stride in the coming weeks.

Spring flowers also bring spring training and Cactus League baseball games throughout the Phoenix metro area. The weather is perfect, and the sights and sounds of the ballpark seem to be amplified by the mixture of springtime aromas. Brats and beer with a hint of wildflowers…That’s just spring testing out your sensory system. After the game, check out Arizona’s outfield in one of yourArizona State Parks.

Arizona is the spring break capital of the southwestern United States for good reason! There are tons of fun things to do, whether you’re looking for an exciting family-oriented trip or primed for a small group adventure! Spring break coincides with Arizona’s wildflower season, Cactus League spring training games, and the weather is perfect for spending time outside! With a variety of park options throughout the state, visitors can choose to spend time in Arizona’s famed Sonoran Desert, relax along the ancient Colorado River, or learn about interesting and varied state history in our historic parks.

Wildflowers sprouting up in the desert are the outcome of the above-average fall and winter rainfall in Arizona. Why does one enjoy wildflowers? The simple answer…They just do!! A more complex answer requires a look deep into the psyche, and how certain colors touch our souls and why they may contain connotations that trigger beautiful memories. Maybe we just appreciate the aroma? Perhaps the sight of a sea of desert poppies opens a place in our minds susceptible only to the very beauty we are witnessing. Once opened, we choose to continue the experience and appreciate the colors throughout spring during what could be an absolutely epic Arizona wildflower season. Learn where to see the show over the next couple months below. Don’t wait to enjoy these splashes of color; before long they will be reduced to colorful memories.

Whether you’re visiting Arizona to take advantage of great weather and spring training games or a resident heading to a ballgame, Arizona’s outfield has lots to offer baseball fans after the last pitch. Coming from out of town? Bring your RV or book a cozy cabin within a short drive of the ballpark. After the game, stretch your legs on a park trail, experience the wide variety of birds and wildlife, or just spend time amid the beautiful desert landscapes found within Arizona’s state parks.

There's plenty of scenic state parks within a short drive from many of the Cactus League ballparks. Use this guide to choose a location that offers the type of experience you are expecting, then go! It's just that easy...